HUNTSVILLE -- Eleven strikeouts was not enough for Huntsville starter Remington Cozad as Prairie Grove pulled off a 4-3 upset on the Eagles' home diamond Friday.
The Tigers came in fresh off a tournament, having scored multiple runs in several games, but Friday's contest was a tough, grind-out win.
"It was only a matter of time before we got into a game where it was 3-2 or a 2-1 ball-game," said Prairie Grove coach Chris Mileham. "I think it's good for us down the road. I'll tell you what, hat's off to Remington (Cozad). He's going to be a force in this conference. He's a good pitcher. Hat's off to him, he did a number on us tonight and made us better. So, he's a good one."
Huntsville came in with hot bats, having out-scored opponents 89-11 in their first five games with an unbeaten 5-0 record, until Friday. Prairie Grove starter Reed Orr kept the Eagles in check, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 base on balls with 5 strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work. Orr was replaced by Clay Fidler with two runners aboard and one out with Huntsville batting in the bottom of the seventh inning and the Tigers clinging to a 4-1 lead.
At that juncture, Mileham inserted Fidler, who issued a walk to load the bases as the baseball drama unfolded. Cozad, who had been pulled by Huntsville coach Greg Harris with two outs in the top of the seventh, came up to bat, looking to continue the Eagles' winning-streak. He fouled off two pitches and drew one ball for a 1-2 count, then nailed a 2-run single, narrowing the Tiger lead to one run, at 4-3.
With Dylan Harris batting, a passed ball allowed a runner to get to second, but Fidler ran to the plate and helped prevent the tying run from stealing home. Fidler fell behind 1-2, then got Dylan Harris to swing and miss evening the count at 2-2. Dylan Harris fouled off the next pitch, then struck out as Fidler caught him looking for out number two.
Down to their last out, Huntsville had runners at second and third poised to make a break on any deep hit. That was exactly what they got with Clay Siegrist putting the ball deep into right field where Cates made a game-saving catch on the run.
Austin Jenzsch (1 of 3, 2 RBIs) had one of only 3 hits in 26 at-bats for the Tigers when he homered for Prairie Grove.
"We're pretty scrappy up and down the line," Mileham said. "Each guy has contributed. It's been a different guy every night for us. I think it was just his turn to come through for us tonight. Jenzsch really put a charge on it and put us up there for good."
Senior Clay Fidler (1 of 3) and Drew Cates (1 of 3) had the other two hits.
Sports on 03/15/2017